Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Post Operative Expectations

It seems that a lot of people have questions or even fears about the changes that they will see in their lives post op. As did I.

There are certain things that many of us are simply unable to do. My own surgeon was excellent about preparing me for the possibility that I couldn't tolerate some foods afterward, as well as advising me against certain foods (to contribute to the long-term success of my wrap).

The things he specifically warned me against were anything that would cause certain changes within my system, such as caffeine and alcohol. He also told me that I should never again drink carbonated beverages due to the amount of pressure the ingested gases would put on my wrap, or drink through a straw because of the amount of air that is ingested with the beverage.

The foods that he told me to prepare myself for being unable to ingest afterward were bread, raw vegetables, and "gassy" cooked vegetables. He advised that I could start trying them after 6 months, but to understand I probably wouldn't be able to stand them, and if they did cause pain from pressure that I was to avoid them completely.

Other things that people seem to have long-term difficulty with are pork and rice. I had trouble with pork for a fairly long time. As a low-carber rice isn't something I eat regularly (although when I'm going to splurge it is one of my favorite splurge-foods - with LOTS of butter!), but I didn't have difficulty with it. Maybe because of all the butter :).

He also told me that the majority of people who have this done will not be able to burp or vomit afterward - this should be considered a given. If you are one of those who are able to get air back up through your LES after your NF, you are in the minority. (NOTE: with time, some wraps will loosen somewhat and allow air to escape upwards; however, this means that stomach contents - acid - can also escape upwards, and this is not ideal obviously.) Remember, the intent of the Nissen wrap is to prevent the LES from allowing ANYTHING to go back up into/through the esophagus. That is the whole point of the procedure, after all.

For those who do find themselves able to burp, many are able to enjoy beer or sodas. (Definitely consider this the exception rather than the rule, however.) Whether this has any long-term effect on the integrity of the wrap, I don't know. I do know that with the fairly high failure rate - or shorter lifespan - of so many of these, my own choice has been to avoid anything that might contribute to an eventual failure. But some surgeons advise their patients that they may resume all normal activity and dietary regimens after complete healing. I'm just one to err on the side of caution with my own wrap :).

I've only mentioned the more common adjustments that most have to make after NF. Everyone has different results afterward and what is true for one will not necessarily be true for another. It may be wise to go into it accepting that we probably won't be able to drink carbonation or eat bread or raw veggies or caffeine or whatever...and then accept it as a wonderful gift if we find that we are indeed able to do so after we have healed.

9 comments:

  1. I am having my surgery on Tues. March 12. I am very nervous about the whole ordeal. Went onto Facebook site for NF but don't know how to post anything. Help. DJMolchan@gmail.com

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  2. Glad you found the group, DJ! Hopefully you will find it helpful friendly and even fun :).

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    1. Hey DJ I see you've had ur surgery. I had mine in 2002. Eating was the hardest part trying to figure out what would go down easy. The discomfort of the surgery wasn't bad at all. Surgery was my last resort after years of different meds. Belching and vomiting was not possible. 2010 found out nissen was loose. As of last month it is really loose and pulling proximal stomach up causing folds in stomach back to the reflux again. Have ulcers and showing signs of short segment barrettes esophagus. Even though it has come loose i would have it done again a lot better then indigestion. More test. Then see what Dr decides what next. I'm on dr number eight this past year and a half

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  3. This is a wonderful blog and I didn't realize you are connected to the NF fb page! duh! This blog is the reason I joined the fb site. Thank you again for so much invaluable info!

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    1. You are welcome :).

      The FB NF group was started by Janet Bonser, she is a lovely lady! She started it when her elderly mother had a wrap. Last summer she told me that she was ready to pass the group on, and asked me if I would take it over. I am so glad that I agreed, it has a really wonderful group of people there, and I have learned so much from them! I have never been in such a friendly and supportive support group in my 25+ years online :).

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  5. I had MY Nissen Fundoplication done 12 years ago ( laproscopic procedure,0lso also a Hiatal Hernia Repair with it. AFTER THE SURGICAL RECOVERY it hasn't been bad-- I can eat anything ! At first you are only able to eat small amounts of food--I shouldn't have stretched my new stomach out so much LOL ! I was normal height weight ratio & 53 years old. I have done great--no more Heartburn since, even after this long ! I do get hiccups-often when I start eating fast.- They don't last long---Related?? My father had GERD and eventually Esophogeal Cancer. Since I too had GERD--I wanted this done. Dad's was full blown Esophogeal Cancer. He went to Mayo Clinic in MN. where they removed most of his Esophogus. His stomach--re-attached up in his Chest Cavity. He was very bad before surgery. HeCould hardly swallow, and food came back up constantly. Only Mayo would operate on him 19 years ago. No Chemo or Radiation after--and it was able to buy him 5 more years vs. months to live--WITH OUT ANY surgery. For anyone facing GERD or the next phase--Barretts Esophogus--please check into a easier, better sounding procedure available called "Halo 90". I used to scrub in surgery and under stand both proceedures the "Halo" is very easy on the patient. Baretts is when the lining of the Esopogus is ruined (destroyed) by STOMACH ACID and New BAD Cells develop. When you have Barretts-- the cells ARE precancerous (at best) and must be watched closely since they usually turn cancerous without treatment. The Halo procedure uses a "Down the throat procedure & Laser." The procedure takes about 1/2 hour. It uses the Laser to destroy the Barrets Cells and your body replaces the Barrett Cells (that were destroyed by the Laser)with brand new Cells. The NEW Cells will usually tolerate acid. You will still have to be scoped often- but a total cure is possible they say. You CAN end up with a nice new, safer lining, than the one you were born with, after the procedure & healing. It sounds like they will follow you close for the first year or two. Until the healing is complete you may need to be on a prescription for acid so the NEW cells heal well. None of this is a professional opinion. Please read the articles yourself. All I can say is--I've had 5 other types of surgery procedures myself & scrubbed (passed instruments) for many. The Nissen was a tough one--pain wise--compared to the others I've had--including a Full Open Back Surgery ! I wish they had the Halo- when my Dad or I needed it. Anytime you can avoid even a Laproscopic surgery it will be easier on you and the statistics look great for the Halo 90 or Halo 360. Check it out online! Good Luck ! YES I am a terrible speller & I've also been up all night! Pam M. hrgal@aol.com

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  6. That is interesting Pam - if I'm reading this right, the halo procedure is to deal with the BE right? But doesn't do anything to repair a malfunctioning LES?

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  7. Hello! I have never blogged before but im feeling nervous! I had my first NF done in april 2010. And I am going to Boston Massachusettes on the 30th for a Redo... My first surgeon was inexperienced and i wasnt being careful either. I really was happy my first year in and then back to the same place i was. I had a 5 day hospital stay the first time and im nervous about the pain from recovery because it was so horrible the first time. Its so hard to explain what we go through with and without the wrap! People say oh i have heart burn... But they have no idea! Super glad i found you guys! And by the way im a very Faithful Christian that loves and accepts prayers!

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